HERITAGE BALL TO CELEBRATE 40 YEARS OF PRESERVATION SUCCESS
Andy and Jan Marshall to Chair 40th Annual Event; FirstBank is Presenting Sponsor
From Roper’s Knob to the Franklin Theatre, and a long list of historic treasures saved in between, the Heritage Foundation of Franklin & Williamson County has a lot to celebrate. The 40th Annual Heritage Ball, to be held Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013 at the Eastern Flank Battlefield Park in Franklin, will be a retrospective on all that has been accomplished over the course of nearly a half century.
The Foundation’s work could not be done without its members and supporters, including corporate sponsors who underwrite significant expenses for key fundraising events. FirstBank has agreed to serve again as presenting sponsor for the Heritage Ball, underscoring their commitment to the community and the Heritage Foundation’s mission.
“FirstBank is making a big investment in downtown Franklin because we believe in the value of our history, and the Heritage Foundation has been the driving force behind preserving and enhancing our historic treasures,” said Gordon Inman, FirstBank’s Chairman – Middle Tennessee. “We’re excited about the restoration of the Historic Five Points Post Office, and about working with the Heritage Foundation on other projects moving forward. The Ball is a wonderful way to celebrate 40 years of success and to raise funds toward the future, and we are delighted to be a part of it.”
Jan and Andy Marshall, long-time Williamson County residents who own and operate the very popular Puckett’s family of restaurants, have been named the 2013 Ball chairs.
Andy took the path of his father’s grocery store business, purchasing his first Piggly Wiggly store at the age of 26, and eventually owned several stores in the area. He was president of the Tennessee Grocers Association, but his love of food, music and community began to steer him in a different direction in the mid-‘90s. In 1998, he opened Puckett’s Gro. & Restaurant in Leiper’s Fork, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Today, the Marshalls own Puckett’s restaurants in downtown Franklin, downtown Nashville and downtown Columbia. Puckett’s Boat House in downtown Franklin opened last year, and the Marshalls are part owners in Gray’s on Main, set to open this spring on historic Franklin’s Main Street. The restaurants have won multiple awards for best barbecue, meat and three, service, music and more.
Through the first decade of Puckett’s growth, Jan served as the company’s marketing and public relations arm. Previously, she was a director of admissions at Franklin Road Academy. She continues to play a central role in the development of the Puckett’s family of restaurants. The Marshalls have been married for 26 years, and have three adult children, Claire, Emily and Cliff. Their first grandchild is due this summer.
“We’ve always been proud to be associated with the Heritage Foundation, and it is a true honor to be asked to serve as chairs of the Heritage Ball,” Jan Marshall said. “We’re looking forward to working with the team to make the 40th Anniversary event one that will be remembered another half century from now.”
Angela Calhoun is returning as design chair, having produced a number of spectacular Balls over the last several years. She says the theme will reflect the landmark anniversary, with the color scheme associated with the traditional red that accompanies a 40-year commemoration.
“We are planning some special surprises throughout the evening that I think will make this one of the most memorable events ever,” Calhoun said. “Every year, we try to build upon and top what has been done before, so our goal is to deliver an amazing experience that will dazzle all of the senses!”
All proceeds from the Heritage Ball benefit the work of the 46-year-old Heritage Foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is to protect and preserve the architectural, geographic and cultural heritage of Franklin and Williamson County and to promote the ongoing economic revitalization of downtown Franklin in the context of historic preservation. For more information on the Ball, and to learn more about the Heritage Foundation, visit www.historicfranklin.com or call Torrey Barnhill at (615) 591-8500, Ext. 20.
FIRSTBANK NAMED PRESENTING SPONSOR OF 2012 ANNUAL HERITAGE BALL
Community Bank Investing in Williamson County Preservation
FRANKLIN, Tenn. – One of Tennessee’s largest community banks – and one of Williamson County’s newest – has made a major investment in local historic preservation efforts. FirstBank will be the presenting sponsor for the 39th Annual Heritage Ball, to be held on Saturday, Sept. 22, 2012 at the Eastern Flank Battlefield Park in Franklin. In its 39th year, the Heritage Ball is Williamson County’s longest-running black tie event, and one of the most anticipated each fall.
“We are blessed in this community to have corporate supporters who believe in what we’re doing, and making significant investments in our mission,” said Jennifer Parker, who is chairing the Heritage Ball with her husband, Jamey. “FirstBank has demonstrated that commitment in so many ways in towns across Tennessee, and we’re excited that they are putting down roots in Williamson County.”
FirstBank is the third largest Tennessee-based bank, with 44 locations in Tennessee. Headquartered in Lexington, Tenn., FirstBank serves every major metropolitan market as well many communities in between and, with more than $2 billion in total assets, has the resources to provide a comprehensive variety of financial services and products, following a community-banking model which began when the charter was issued in 1906 as Farmers State Bank, in Scotts Hill, Tenn.
Community banking is the cornerstone of FirstBank’s operations and has been its philosophy since the bank was founded. FirstBank strives to improve the quality of life for those who live in the communities it serves, with an emphasis on education through involvement in local schools and The Ayers Foundation Scholars Program, established by FirstBank chairman and sole shareholder Jim Ayers.
“We are proud to be the presenting sponsor for The Heritage Ball,” said Gordon Inman, FirstBank’s Middle Tennessee Chairman. “The Heritage Foundation’s commitment to protecting and preserving historic resources in Franklin and Williamson County is aligned with FirstBank’s community-based banking philosophy of participating and investing in all that our local communities have to offer.”
Founded in 1967, the Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to protecting and preserving historic resources in Franklin and Williamson County, Tennessee. For more information or to receive an invitation for the 39th Annual Heritage Ball, contact Torrey Barnhill at tbarnhill@historicfranklin.com or call (615) 591-8500, Ext. 20 and to learn more about the Heritage Foundation, visit www.historicfranklin.com.
Click here to see the full list of sponsors who have made this event possible.
HERITAGE BALL CHAIRS BRING NATIONAL DESIGN, EVENT PRODUCTION EXPERIENCE
Jennifer & Jamey Parker, Angela Calhoun Team to Build on Heritage Ball’s Legacy
FRANKLIN, Tenn. – Each year since 1973, community advocates have anticipated the arrival of the Heritage Ball, Williamson County’s longest-running black tie event. The Ball has underscored the importance of historic preservation here for nearly four decades, with each year’s chairs bringing new talents and twists.
The 39th annual event is set for Saturday, Sept. 22 at the Eastern Flank Battlefield Park, with Jamey and Jennifer Parker as chairs. Angela Calhoun is returning as design chair, along with a number of dedicated committee members.
Jennifer Parker was a marketing executive specializing in brand partnerships with music artists before she and Jamey had their first child, four-year-old Kelsy. As a senior vice president for entertainment marketing with TBA Global, she helped spearhead the 2004 Inauguration event for Jenna and Barbara Bush, bringing together 6,000 attendees, more than 20 musical acts and 200 non-profit volunteer organizations in less than a month.
She now owns Parker Communications Consulting, where she focuses on tour sponsorship marketing, event planning and public relations. In 2010, she designed a partnership with Mars Pet Care and Carrie Underwood, with Underwood’s national tour sponsored by Pedigree dog food and raising money for animal shelters in several U.S. cities. She has been an active volunteer for My Friend’s House, Safe Haven Family Shelter and numerous other non-profit organizations.
Jamey Parker is a vice president and financial advisor, CFP, CRPC, with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney in Cool Springs. As a native Nashvillian and alumnus of Middle Tennessee State University, he is passionate about working toward a better community. He has served as board president for CASA in Williamson County and is active with the Franklin Noon Rotary and the Williamson County Medical Center Foundation.
“We are both so proud to be residents of Franklin and Williamson County, and we’re constantly reminded of how important preservation is to the quality of life in our community,” Jennifer said. “This Ball team is full of talented people who each bring something to the table, and we’re working together to raise funds that will help ensure that future generations can feel the same benefit from our historic treasures.”
Long-time community advocate Angela Calhoun is returning as design chair for the 2012 Heritage Ball. She served in that capacity leading up to last year’s Ball, and in 2009, she chaired the event with her husband, Porter. She is active in a number of historic preservation and environmental causes in Franklin and Williamson County.
Angela has served on the board of Historic Carnton Plantation, including three years as president; is a founding board member of Franklin’s Charge; and is currently vice chair of the Harpeth River Watershed Association board of directors. During her tenure as executive director of Historic Carnton Plantation from 1997 to 2008, the site grew to become an internationally recognized Civil War tourism destination.
She has also worked as an interior designer in Franklin and in Los Angeles on corporate, retail and residential projects. Locally, her work in 2007 on the historic Meeting of the Waters home on Del Rio Pike in Franklin received the Preservation Award from the Heritage Foundation. She also brings many years of experience in planning and implementing events of all sizes and descriptions, including the Sunset Concert Series and Randal McGavock Society dinners at Carnton, the donor party for the opening of the Franklin Theatre last June and as co-chair of the Harpeth River Swing last October.
“I spent a lot of time last year at the Eastern Flank Battlefield Park looking out at Carnton, a very special place to me, and the surrounding fields,” she said. “I’m constantly reminded of the leading role the Heritage Foundation has taken in the preservation of historic homes, our Main Street and treasures like the Franklin Theatre. Add to that the open spaces, such as the Eastern Flank Battlefield Park, Harlinsdale Park, and now the land on Columbia Pike across from the Carter House at the epicenter of the Battle of Franklin. I am honored to be a part of this event and the Heritage Foundation that contributes so much to this community.”
With a nod to Williamson County’s agricultural heritage, the Ball committee is bringing back the farm-to-table supper concept that was introduced last year, utilizing local farmers and chefs to prepare a one-of-a-kind, multi-course meal that is as fresh and as local as it gets. The committee is working with Franklin Farmers Market President Hank Delvin of Delvin Farms, Dani Kates of Kates Fine Catering and Chef Chuck White, author of If It Makes You Healthy with Sheryl Crow, to orchestrate the culinary aspects of the event.
All proceeds from the Heritage Ball benefit the work of the 45-year-old Heritage Foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is to protect and preserve the architectural, geographic and cultural heritage of Franklin and Williamson County and to promote the ongoing economic revitalization of downtown Franklin in the context of historic preservation. For more information on the Ball please contact Torrey Barnhill at tbarnhill@historicfranklin.com or (615-591-8500), ext. 20 and to learn more about the Heritage Foundation, visit www.historicfranklin.com.
Click here to see the full list of sponsors who have made this event possible.
